Welcome Encouragement for Today friends! I’m so glad you hopped over after reading my devotion! I’ll explain in just a minute how to enter today’s giveaway. But first I want to share 3 ways we can replace our guilt-induced doubt with grace-infused confidence pulled from Day 12 of my “60-Days to Stop Doubting Yourself Confident Heart Devotional“:
“She never thought anyone would find out about their affair, but now her secret and her sin would be public.
Just as the people gathered in the temple, surrounding Jesus as he sat down to teach them, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had be caught in the act of adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus,
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.” (John 8:2–6)
They hoped Jesus would condemn her, but the opposite happened.
Instead of lording over her, Jesus lowered Himself before her. Grace knelt down to write on the ground. {tweet this?}
“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. (vv. 6–8)
The Bible doesn’t tell us what Jesus wrote but I’ve always wondered if it was the Ten Commandments, since her accusers said Moses’s law commanded them to stone her. Plus, after writing, Jesus challenged them to examine their own sins and see if any of them were without fault.
When Jesus stooped down to write a second time, perhaps He wrote over the law with redemption. Could it be that He covered the commandments with words like grace, forgiveness, and mercy. Scripture doesn’t say. But we do know that something radical happened. Everyone dropped their stones and walked away.
“At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (vv. 9–11)
In my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today, I shared about a time when I really blew it and guilt convinced me I was no longer qualified for my calling. But God used my friend and spiritual mentor/mom, MaryAnn Ruff, to show me what the redemption of God’s grace looks like. And ever since that day, Jesus has been teaching me how to replace my guilt-induced doubt with His grace-infused confidence.
3 Ways to Replace Guilt-Induced Doubt with God’s Grace-Infused Confidence
Remember: Remember sin is not who you are; sin is what you do.
Although Jesus knew this woman had sinned, He made sure she and the crowd knew her sin was not who she was. It was what she had done.
Her sin didn’t get the final say. Jesus did.
Refuse: Refuse condemnation, but lean into loving conviction.
They hoped Jesus would condemn the woman, but the opposite happened. Instead of lording over her, Jesus lowered Himself before her.
When you fall into a trap of the Accuser (Rev. 12:10), close your eyes and picture Jesus – the person of Grace – kneeling down before you, looking into your eyes and loving you out of your sin.
Ask Jesus to help you recognize condemnation’s accusing statements like “You’re a failure” or “You can never be counted on.”Refuse to listen to his lies. Instead lean into God’s loving conviction that is specific. Instead of a broad, sweeping you-are-a-loser label, Jesus will point out our sin and show us what to do to right the wrong.
Instead of “You’re such a failure,” God might say: You were critical in the way you talked to _________ . You need to say you’re sorry and ask forgiveness. Then tell _____ something to build them up.
Replace: Replace the guilt of sin with God’s redemptive grace.
In the presence of Jesus, the woman’s accusers walked away. He dismissed them one by one, until He was the only one left standing. He replaced their position of authority. He was the only One left speaking into her life.
Jesus help me replace my guilt-induced doubt with God’s grace-infused confidence. @ReneeSwope {click to TWEET}
God’s grace lures us out of darkness; His kindness leads our hearts to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
He wants to draw us away from destructive behaviors that hinder our relationship with Him and others, so we can live in the freedom of His forgiveness and the security of His love.
Lord, You say there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and my life is hidden in You. Thank You that because of Your love and grace, my sin never gets the final say about me—You do! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Wow – did I ever need this today! I was recently diagnosed as bipolar – which explains a lot of how I have been acting. But I know I have hurt others with my words and actions – I love the image of Jesus kneeling down and looking into my eyes and telling me that I’m forgiven and that it will be ok! Thank you for posting this today!
“Sin is not who we are but what we do!” I love the truth of this and am reminded of Paul’s words in Rom 7:15 but what I hate, that do I. Oh my…it pains me when gossip, hurtful words, etc come from my lips but..God is teaching me to repent quickly – ‘there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus’ Rom 8:1. So thankful that He is lovingkindness! Would love a copy of the book!
As I read your devotional today, I wept. I have been discouraged to the point of tears, as I’ve witnessed the rebellion in my 5 year old son, and realised the ways I have dissapointed my husband. The very words running through my head have been “I am not cut out for this. I have failed as a wife and mother. Why am I even here.” Thank you for your honesty, and for sharing the truth about guilt, and the hope of forgiveness and restoration through the grace of God. The Lord knew I needed this encouragement today. Thank you!
So needed to read this just now. Up at 2:30am. Divine appointment.
Renee, Thank you so much for your encouragement thru God’s word. It is very early am and am unable to sleep, feeling totally helpless as my husband is out of work. We are retired and learning to live 24/7 with each other, not real pretty given our financial state and learning to live also on a very tight budget. I have a lot of physical issues to deal with as well. I long to live a rich joyous life day to day giving all the glory to the Lord. I guess I need purpose in living each day for Him! I am also very involved in caring for my elderly father who really just wants to go HOME! I pray this for him daily while trying to encourage him that God’s timing is perfect in all things! I would LOVE to have this devotional in written form to help keep me focused on HIM & to be “thinking on things above”. Thank you again!!
Allowing God to be the One in the position of authority in our lives and choosing to listen to His words of truth is so powerful. God is Truth, and everything He says and does is true. This gives us a firm foundation upon which to stand when other voices try to persuade us otherwise. Don’t allow satan to rob us of all that God has for us, and see Jesus, our Servant King, writing in the sand of our transgressions His words of truth and by doing so cancelling our sin.
Amazing grace!
Amazing Grace…how sweet the sound to me…
Thanks Renee for this heartfelt blog today.
I need help overcoming doubt and worry. It feels like the enemy is on full fledge attack and I can’t see the light
This post spoke to heart! There is so much reflecting that I must do. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this Renee, it was exactly what I needed t hear today.
I remember one weekend where I really felt like I blew it, not just with my husband and kids but God. I forced myself to go to church knowing sitting at home in my self pity would not fix the situation, and I’d problem fight with my husband more if I stayed. As the worship began, I kept saying to myself “How dare u come and praise Jesus after what u did and said” it was like I didn’t deserve to praise him, then my pastor said “we have to praise God no matter what, no matter how you feel you have to praise God because he deserves the praise.” I then realized God didn’t deserve my praise only when I’m acting like a Christian and I FEEL good , he deserves it all the time no matter the good bad or really ugly. Because in all of my circumstances he is still God. I can’t rely on feelings to praise the one true God who always deserves my praise. So I know now no matter how I feel, I will still praise him.
Needed this reminder today. I struggle with dreaming about past guilds which makes them linger far longer than they should. I’ve begun apologizing to people no matter how long ago the hurt was, it helps me let it go.
Everyday we face challenges of a Satan influenced world. It becomes difficult to sometimes remember that we aren’t here to judge othets, but to love one another. None of us are perfect. Sin is sin. We all need to learn to drop the stones we carry and leave those sins at the cross. Loads become lighter, and our duties to one another become easier.
I struggle with being good enough. Tryong my best doesn’t always pay the bills or get me fur the in life. It doesn’t always seem enough. I need to remember I AM good enough.
Struggling with replacing guilt with godly repentance and obedience.
This is something that I need to print out and look at every day. So many times I find other’s criticism of what I say or do make me wonder if they are right. Am I good enough? But then, I simply tell the devil to leave because he is not welcome in my life. I constantly remind myself that I am a child of God and only his opinion of me is what is important.
Wonderfully expressed, Renee*
I have lived in a guilt space quiet often in my life and I am experiencing God’s grace and sweet family- finally aligning Gods love for me as free not conditions.
Guilt is a terrible burden. I try to figure how to fix things but I can’t. However, I have figured out when I give ALL to Jesus, the burden is not so heavy. Finally I glimpse the sweet peace of surrender. Rejoice in The Lord always and again I say rejoice
What an inspiring read today. I struggle so much with “am I good enough” and “I can’t do anything right” I read this today and so needed to hear your words. God does love me and will do anything for me no matter what I do or don’t do. I must keep telling myself these words. Thank you for sharing your words with me and others today.
There are so many things going wrong with my family. I cannot share with anyone but it has given me hope. I know there is a God and he will answer prayers but in his time. Thank God for everyone you have done for me. I need to grow again in God and I believe this is a way to start.